100 books like Naked, Drunk, and Writing

By Adair Lara,

Here are 100 books that Naked, Drunk, and Writing fans have personally recommended if you like Naked, Drunk, and Writing. Shepherd is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep the lights on. Or join the rebellion as a member.

Book cover of Dan Poynter's Self-Publishing Manual: How to Write, Print and Sell Your Own Book

Claudine Wolk Author Of Get Your Book Seen and Sold: The Essential Book Marketing and Publishing Guide

From my list on book marketing and book publishing how-to guides.

Why am I passionate about this?

In 2008, as an author who had a message that I was desperate to get out into the world, I had a decision to make… to continue to pitch my non-fiction book for new moms to traditional publishers or to create a publishing company and publish it myself. I chose to create a publishing company and publish it myself. I loved the publishing and book marketing process so much that I started to help other authors to market their books.

Claudine's book list on book marketing and book publishing how-to guides

Claudine Wolk Why did Claudine love this book?

Whether you decide to self-publish, hybrid publish, independently publish, or traditionally publish, reading this book is a must.

Mr. Poynter covers the details of book creation and the publishing process in order, in a gentle and easy-to-understand way. Even the font of the text is large and easy on the eyes.  Poynter describes the details of self-publishing (and traditional publishing) and incudes resources and actual industry contacts so that the reader can literally create their own self-publishing company and publish, distribute and sell their book. As you know, the publishing industry changes rapidly and some of topics covered, like book distribution, has changed a bit but the overall description of publishing, the publishing timeline, and creating a book publishing company holds true. 

This bright, red book holds a special place in my heart. When I was trying to find an agent/publisher for my first book, with no luck, this is…

By Dan Poynter,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Dan Poynter's Self-Publishing Manual as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Self-Publishing Manual, more effectively and successfully than any other book, has turned writers with an idea into successful authors with books by providing solid, usable information in clear, concise, readable lanugage. This is not the stuff of theory, it is the product of hard-earned experience.


Book cover of Write the Perfect Book Proposal: 10 That Sold and Why

Claudine Wolk Author Of Get Your Book Seen and Sold: The Essential Book Marketing and Publishing Guide

From my list on book marketing and book publishing how-to guides.

Why am I passionate about this?

In 2008, as an author who had a message that I was desperate to get out into the world, I had a decision to make… to continue to pitch my non-fiction book for new moms to traditional publishers or to create a publishing company and publish it myself. I chose to create a publishing company and publish it myself. I loved the publishing and book marketing process so much that I started to help other authors to market their books.

Claudine's book list on book marketing and book publishing how-to guides

Claudine Wolk Why did Claudine love this book?

This book is the next must-have resource!

Two literary agents had the brilliant idea to share examples of book proposals of authors that actually sold! In the margins of the book proposals, the authors point out different parts of the book proposal, what was great, and why it was great. The comments included in the margins can aid aspiring authors in coming up with creative ideas for their own book proposals and help them avoid pitfalls that turn agents off.

The book starts with brief chapters on the tools used to pitch to literary agents and publishers. The lessons are short but powerful and give aspiring authors a glimpse into what agents and publishers are really looking for in a query or proposal. The agents also share what NOT to do, i.e., don’t be boring, don’t save the good stuff for the end. Their tone is funny, light, and encouraging.…

By Jeff Herman, Deborah Levine Herman,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Write the Perfect Book Proposal as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Want to publish your book?

Learn how--it's easier than you think!

Charismatic authors and literary agents Jeff Herman and Deborah Levine Herman have successfully sold nearly 1,000 titles and learned--through trial and error--how to write a flawless book proposal that publishers can't resist. Now you can benefit from their hard work and publishing savvy. In this new edition to the bestselling guide, they offer guidance and advice that will inspire, educate, and, most importantly, give you the necessary edge to get your book published. They explain:

* How to shape your idea and create a title

* Ways to get…


Book cover of How to Promote Your Book: A Practical Guide to Publicizing Your Own Title

Claudine Wolk Author Of Get Your Book Seen and Sold: The Essential Book Marketing and Publishing Guide

From my list on book marketing and book publishing how-to guides.

Why am I passionate about this?

In 2008, as an author who had a message that I was desperate to get out into the world, I had a decision to make… to continue to pitch my non-fiction book for new moms to traditional publishers or to create a publishing company and publish it myself. I chose to create a publishing company and publish it myself. I loved the publishing and book marketing process so much that I started to help other authors to market their books.

Claudine's book list on book marketing and book publishing how-to guides

Claudine Wolk Why did Claudine love this book?

Once you decide how you are going to publish your book, you will have to promote it, whether self-publishing or traditional publishing, in order to sell it. Dr. Jan Yager’s book is your next step to learn book promotion and offers the details behind the next steps on your book marketing journey.

Yager has written over 50 books, both traditionally published and self-published. She has pretty much seen it all and recognized that authors needed a detailed guide for how and where to market their books. She decided to write a book dedicated to book promotion by presenting material in a logical fashion, in the order of any book launch promotion timeline.

The sections of her book make sense and are easy to follow for authors: The first section is about what to do before your book is published. The second section is about what to do after your book…

By Jan Yager,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked How to Promote Your Book as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"Writing a great book is the easy part. Getting people to buy the book is wicked hard. Jan’s book shows you what promotion to do so you increase the possibility that your book becomes a bestseller.”

―Jeffrey Fox,bestselling author,How to Become a Rainmaker

"Being an author is 50% creative and 50% promotion. Jan Yager's comprehensive and practical book, How to Promote Your Book, tells authors exactly what they need to know and do to promote their book. I'm recommending it to all the authors I know including those whose books I share through my Bedside Reading program."

―Jane Ubell-Meyer, CEO,…


Book cover of Writer's Market 100th Edition: The Most Trusted Guide to Getting Published

Claudine Wolk Author Of Get Your Book Seen and Sold: The Essential Book Marketing and Publishing Guide

From my list on book marketing and book publishing how-to guides.

Why am I passionate about this?

In 2008, as an author who had a message that I was desperate to get out into the world, I had a decision to make… to continue to pitch my non-fiction book for new moms to traditional publishers or to create a publishing company and publish it myself. I chose to create a publishing company and publish it myself. I loved the publishing and book marketing process so much that I started to help other authors to market their books.

Claudine's book list on book marketing and book publishing how-to guides

Claudine Wolk Why did Claudine love this book?

Any writer who wants to sell their book needs some book industry information details. This book is a compendium of writing, publishing, book marketing, and publicist resources.

The book is separated into sections that include all the information you would need to reach out to publishers, literary agencies, publishing trade organizations, and book industry folks for hire–their names, addresses, websites, and the types of books they publish. The price is crazy reasonable, and the time it will save is invaluable. 

For the new author, the list of literary agents is perfect to start a list of who to send your first query letters for possible representation. The book industry resource guide is a fabulous way to find the specific help that you may need on your marketing and publishing journey. There are editors, book cover designers, interior book graphic designers, and publicists listed for hire as well. I used this…

By Robert Lee Brewer (editor),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Writer's Market 100th Edition as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The most trusted guide to getting published, fully revised and updated

Want to get published and paid for your writing? Let Writer's Market, 100th edition guide you through the process. It's the ultimate reference with thousands of publishing opportunities for writers, listings for book publishers, consumer and trade magazines, contests and awards, and literary agents—as well as new playwriting and screenwriting sections, along with contact and submission information.

Beyond the listings, you'll find articles devoted to the business and promotion of writing. Discover 20 literary agents actively seeking writers and their writing, how to develop an author brand, and overlooked…


Book cover of Cultural Intelligence for Marketers: Building an Inclusive Marketing Strategy

Nataly Kelly Author Of Take Your Company Global: The New Rules of International Expansion

From my list on books for global business leaders.

Why am I passionate about this?

I love helping companies unlock global growth. As a child, I spent my free time writing letters to pen pals in countries around the world. That passion for communicating across borders, languages, and cultures never went away. I’ve spent most of my life working to overcome those barriers in business. I frequently write about international business for Harvard Business Review, and in my latest book, in which I share lessons learned as an operator and executive at HubSpot, where I led international strategy. Today, I’m the Chief Marketing Officer at Zappi, a tech company with employees in 16 countries. 

Nataly's book list on books for global business leaders

Nataly Kelly Why did Nataly love this book?

Inclusive marketing and culture to help companies create lasting business and social impact?

This book was written by a brand strategist and cultural theorist who works at Reddit, and it speaks straight to my heart as a marketing executive in technology. What I love most are the examples from leading brands, such as Microsoft, Unilever, Pinterest, Nike, and P&G. I also appreciated the examples from marketing leaders from Dentsu, Edelman, Digitas, WPP, and others.

What I really enjoy about this book is that it presents an entire system to help marketers understand how to embed cultural fluency into various aspects of their marketing strategies.

By Anastasia Karklina Gabriel,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Cultural Intelligence for Marketers as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Brands not only reflect culture but actively shape societal norms and values. Move beyond performative inclusive marketing and drive the cultural conversation. A brand today can build a marketing strategy that not only effectively resonates with audiences but also meaningfully impacts society at large. Learn how to produce inclusive marketing using an approach grounded in critical perspectives on society and the impact brands wield in shaping it. In this book, cultural theorist and strategist Anastasia Karklina Gabriel draws on social analysis, media theory, and semiotics to help marketers improve cultural fluency and future-proof brand strategy by embedding equity and inclusion…


Book cover of Hook Point: How to Stand Out in a 3-Second World

Dario Sipos Author Of Digital Personal Branding: The Essential Guide to Online Personal Branding in the Digital Age

From my list on personal branding in a digitally connected world.

Why am I passionate about this?

When you have online influence, you have the ability to transform minds, behaviors, and outcomes. Dario Sipos is a Digital Marketing Strategist, Branding Expert, Keynote Public Speaker, Business Columnist, and author of the highly acclaimed books Digital Personal Branding and Digital Retail Marketing. Dario has spent significant time working all over the world in the digital field, helping clients and developing brands. He helps leaders influence positive outcomes in all directions, even under the most difficult, changing conditions. Dario will help you build your influence in all directions of your online presence.

Dario's book list on personal branding in a digitally connected world

Dario Sipos Why did Dario love this book?

One of the most crucial elements of my marketing journey was to understand the use of “hooks” that clever brands build into their products and messages. I found this book explains the most effective strategies to bring innovation to your business while scaling it to become an influential brand both online and offline. Because social media reshaped our world in a way that people have short attention spans, from the book I learned how to grab potential audiences’ attention by communicating effectively. The book is an excellent guide on succeeding with brand communication in our short attention span world, so highly recommended to everyone.

By Brendan Kane,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Hook Point as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Hook Point: How to Stand Out in a 3-Second World, by out of the box thinker Brendan Kane, breaks down the most effective strategies to generate new opportunities, innovate and scale your business, and create a compelling brand-both online and off-so you can thrive in the new micro-attention world in which we live.

A lot of people know who they are, what they do, and a few even know why they do it-but even when brands or individuals have clarity in these areas, they often struggle to grab a potential audience's attention for long enough to get them to learn…


Book cover of Selling The Invisible: A Field Guide to Modern Marketing

Monroe Mann Author Of The Theatrical Juggernaut: The Psyche of the Star

From my list on marketing books for aspiring professional actors, artists, and performers.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have done some pretty cool things in the arts. To share a few, I’ve given TEDx talks, I have produced and co-starred in a film that made it to Cannes, I have written 11+ books (one of which was a Barnes & Noble # 1 best seller), I have spoken at SAG/AFTRA and Writer’s Guild, I am an entertainment attorney, and I have an album up on iTunes/Apple Music/Spotify, etc. I really love inspiring people, and helping them to achieve life dreams. I hope this list will help inspire some of you to go after your dreams, too, and with a passion!

Monroe's book list on marketing books for aspiring professional actors, artists, and performers

Monroe Mann Why did Monroe love this book?

Too many books on how to succeed in the arts talk about how you are a "product." These people are idiots who know nothing about business. If you are an actor, singer, or painter, you are not a product. That implies you are able to be sold to multiple people at the same time. And re-used. And replaced when you break. Sorry, you’re not a product.

You are an entrepreneur, and you are selling…a service. And that service is…invisible. That’s what this book taught me. I am not a product. I am a salesman, and I am selling the invisible.

The techniques required to sell a service are far different from selling a product, and heck, I just didn’t like thinking of myself as a product anyway! I am a unique human being with incredibly unique talents. Aren’t you?

By Harry Beckwith,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Selling The Invisible as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

SELLING THE INVISIBLE is a succinct and often entertaining look at the unique characteristics of services and their prospects, and how any service, from a home-based consultancy to a multinational brokerage, can turn more prospects into clients and keep them. SELLING THE INVISIBLE covers service marketing from start to finish. Filled with wonderful insights and written in a roll-up-your-sleeves, jargon-free, accessible style, such as:

Greatness May Get You Nowhere; Focus Groups Don'ts; The More You Say, the Less People Hear; Seeing the Forest Around the Falling Trees


Book cover of Online Marketing for Busy Authors: A Step-By-Step Guide

Joel Stafford Author Of The First 100 Days of Your Book: Book Marketing for Self-Published Authors

From my list on marketing for self-publishing authors.

Why am I passionate about this?

A very good friend of mine wrote a great non-fiction book – I know it’s great because I read it –, and he sincerely asked for help saying “Joel you learned a bit about marketing, how can I get some traffic?”. I checked several “book promotion” websites and I was shocked how awful they were that day. I learned UI design so I decided that I can start my own book recommendation website, which will be at least user/reader friendly. Continuing my friend's story, I helped him trying the most popular promotion methods and I was surprised that there were a lot that simply don’t work and of course we found some that were nearly unknown. 

Joel's book list on marketing for self-publishing authors

Joel Stafford Why did Joel love this book?

Whether you are busy or inexperienced, this book will teach you how to make as much as possible out of it. This is an exciting time to be an author because you have direct access to your audience – the Internet will certainly help.

This book is a step-by-step guide with direct instructions on how to identify your brand, define your audience, and set priorities. Find out how to come up with your own website, develop a strategy, or even blog as a marketing tool.

By Fauzia Burke,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Online Marketing for Busy Authors as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

If You Want People to Read Your Book,
Writing It Is Only the Beginning

There has truly never been a better time to be an author. For the first time, authors have direct access to the public via the Internet—and can create a community eagerly awaiting their book. But where do new authors start? How do they sort through the dizzying range of online options? Where should they spend their time online and what should they be doing?

Enter Fauzia Burke, a digital book marketing pioneer and friend of overwhelmed writers everywhere. She takes authors step-by-step through the process of…


Book cover of Electric Guitar Making & Marketing: How to build and market high-end instruments, from your workshop's setup to the complete business plan

R.M. Mottola Author Of Building the Steel String Acoustic Guitar

From my list on building stringed musical instruments.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have been building guitars and related instruments since 1994. My enthusiasm for guitar construction led me to deeply explore all aspects of the art and to share as much information as I can with others via my lutherie information website, writing for American Lutherie, published books, and my research publications. I am fortunate to count myself among those that consider building stringed musical instruments to be one of the best things one can do.

R.M.'s book list on building stringed musical instruments

R.M. Mottola Why did R.M. love this book?

Electric guitars and basses are the most popular stringed musical instruments.

Many players dream of building their own instrument. This book provides step-by-step instructions for doing just that. The author is an enthusiastic builder himself, and is also a teacher of instrument construction.

The book is written in a direct and personal style, and anticipates all of the questions a novice builder will ask. This is amazingly confidence-building. For first-time builders of electric guitars, there is no better place to start than this book.

By Leo Lospennato,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Electric Guitar Making & Marketing as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This book tells you everything about making electric guitars following professional standards, phase-by-phase, step-by-step.

It's all about leaving your dent in the universe in the shape of the most beautiful, incredibly sounding guitar you can make—that's clear. But building guitars professionally starts before you even cut the wood: You need to setup your workplace, you have to define your identity as guitar maker, and decide the guiding principles of your endeavor as luthier. What kind of guitars will you build? For whom? What is going to be the winning characteristic of your instruments?

And then you have to sell the…


Book cover of Unleashing the Ideavirus: Stop Marketing AT People! Turn Your Ideas into Epidemics by Helping Your Customers Do the Marketing thing for You

Jonah Berger Author Of Contagious: Why Things Catch on

From my list on make anything catch on.

Why am I passionate about this?

Jonah Berger is a Wharton School professor and internationally bestselling author of Magic Words, Contagious, Invisible Influence, and The Catalyst. Dr. Berger is a world-renowned expert on natural language processing, change, word of mouth, influence, consumer behavior, and why things catch on. He has published over 80 articles in top‐tier academic journals, teaches one of the world’s most popular online courses, and popular outlets like The New York Times and Harvard Business Review often cover his work. Berger has keynoted hundreds of major conferences and events like SXSW and Cannes Lions, advises various early-stage companies, and consults for organizations like Apple, Google, Nike, Amazon, GE, Moderna, and The Gates Foundation.

Jonah's book list on make anything catch on

Jonah Berger Why did Jonah love this book?

Many of the books by Seth Godin are amazing, but this is a personal favorite.

Great ideas aren't just ideas; they're like viruses. They spread from person to person in powerful, unexpected ways. The book explores this idea and talks about some of the factors that lead ideas to spread and some of the consequences of their diffusion.

By Seth Godin,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Unleashing the Ideavirus as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Seth Godin examines how companies like Napster and Hotmail have successfully launched idea viruses - a customer-to-customer dialogue. He offers a recipe to creating your own idea virus and shows how businesses can use idea virus marketing to succeed in a world that doesn't want to hear from traditional marketeers anymore.


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in marketing, presidential biography, and advertising?

Marketing 202 books
Advertising 51 books